Johnny Earl Smith

Johnny Earl Smith, age 88 of Paris, TN, died Sunday, August 27, 2023, at Unity Healthcare Center in Martin, TN.

He retired after a long career as a mechanic.  Johnny owned and operated service stations in Henry County, the last being the former Texaco on North Market Street in Paris.  He served 10 years in the Tennessee National Guard.  He loved coaching baseball, enjoyed bowling and fishing.  Johnny loved his family and church family.  He was a member of West Wood Pentecostal Church of God.

Johnny was born July 10, 1935, in Gibson, TN, to the late Otis C. Smith, Sr., and the late Winnie May Patterson Smith.

He was married to Evelyn Walker Smith, who survives, of Paris, TN.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by two daughters, Marsha (Michael) Aldridge of the Whitlock community of Paris, and Christy (Robert) Callison of Paris; six sons, Jeff (Peggy) Carter of Jackson, TN, Lee (Betty) Smith of Dyersburg, TN, Jason (Tiffany) Smith of Paris, TN, Marty (Lisa) Craig of Puryear, TN, Frank (Dawn) Craig of Las Vegas, NV, and Shannon (Becky) Sloan of Paris; one son-in-law, Ricky Wofford; several grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and his honorary former wife, Margaret Flood.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his former wife, Ann Watson Smith; one daughter, Vikki Wofford; three sisters; and three brothers.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Friday, September 1, 2023, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home with Joe Page and Ray Lainhart officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Trenton Smith, Kurt Hawes, Payton Callison, Landon Carter, Preston Carter, Joey Cary, Adam Bell, Ricky Wofford, Randy Wofford, Matthew Smith, and Shane Normandin.  Named as an honorary pallbearer is David Weedman.

Burial will be in West Union Cemetery in Dresden, TN.